INTERVIEW
2016 AMA PRO FLAT TRACK CHAMPION BRYAN SMITH
P112
GETTING IT DONE
Just two points separated Smith and
three-time Grand National Champion
Mees going into the final race of the
season, and as it turned out, also the
final lap and final corner! The champion-
ship was ultimately decided in the final
turn of the year at the Santa Rosa Mile
when, separated by just inches, Smith
slammed the door shut on Mees and
locked up the 2016 championship.
"If it came down to racing, I was going to
win it or wear it," Smith said about his mind-
set going into the Santa Rosa final. "I think
the last lap you can watch that and realize
it. I was either going to beat him or crash
trying—that was for damn sure. I just needed
to win that for everybody that's been behind
me—my family that's been let down by my
bad luck or my mistakes, my team, all the
guys that have been behind me. It was just
like, 'this cannot get taken away this time.
Not only was
this Smith's first
GNC title, but
Kawasaki's, as
well. Looks like
Kawasaki won't
be defending
that title with
Smith moving
to Indian
next year.
